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Chapter 167: Dream
🕑 Added 2025-07-14 19:25:11 +0000 UTC
In Agatha's Estate in Lavender town, Gwen sat cross-legged on a plush rug in Agatha’s living room,her usual mischievous grin replaced by a sheepish frown.
Agatha lectured. “Listen, girl,” Agatha said, her voice sharp, “as an Elite Four apprentice, you’re not just pranking Gym Leaders and scaring rookies with your ghost types. You’ll be handling international affairs—Johto, even those hotheads in Hoeen. You can’t keep pulling stunts left and right, tempting as it is.”
She cracked a rare smile, her eyes glinting with mischief. “Though I’ll admit, that time you swapped Lance’s Dragonite’s Poké Puff with a spicy Tamato Berry was gold.”
Gwen giggled, her aura flickering with pride. 'Totally worth the week of detention.'
“I’m trying, Agatha, I swear! It’s just… pranking’s my thing!”
'Keeps me sane with all this training.' Agatha snorted, leaning on her cane. “Your ‘thing’ will get you diplomatic immunity revoked. ”
Before Gwen could retort, Karen, Agatha’s other apprentice, burst in, her dark hair flying, eyes wide with excitement. “Big news, big news!” she shouted.
Agatha glared, her cane tapping harder. “What are you running for, girl? This better be good.” Karen, panting, pointed at the TV.
“Gwen, it’s Moonwood Town—your brother!” Gwen’s heart skipped, her aura spiking with worry.
'Glady? What’s he done now?' She scrambled to the remote, flipping on the TV.
The screen blared with a news anchor’s voice: “Breaking News! Moonwood Town attacked by a rampaging pack of Gyarados!” Footage showed over a dozen Gyarados, their massive forms thrashing in the sea, eyes glowing with rage.
Gwen’s jaw dropped. “Damn, that’s a lot of Gyarados,” she muttered, gripping the couch. 'Glady, you idiot, what’s going on?'
The feed shifted, showing Gladion on the coast, his black vest soaked, issuing orders as his Pokémon—Colossus, Zeus, Eldergreen—battled the sea serpents.
The anchor continued, “Gym Leader Gladion took control, issuing orders so precise the navy believes he knew the Gyarados’ moves before they acted.”
Agatha, sipping tea, froze, her eyes narrowing. 'That boy’s psychic aura… beyond human limits. Future Sight, no doubt.' Her mind raced, a realization dawning. 'He’s not just talented—he’s touched by something greater. The Aura Guardians need him.'
She glanced at Gwen, pity softening her gaze. 'Poor girl. Your brother’s Arceus-gifted, Gwen. No matter how hard you train, you’ll never catch him.'
The news went on, showing Electivire and Tropius raining Thunder and Leaf Storm from the sky, Gyarados roaring in pain. “Gym Leader’s Alpha Tyranitar’s Hyper Beams burned half the Gyarados to ashes,” the anchor said, footage showing Colossus’s devastating beam.
“His Blastoise and Milotic kept the shore from flooding.” The screen cut to trainers chanting, “Moonwood! Moonwood!” as the town stood victorious. “With no casualties, Moonwood is safe, thanks to Gym Leader Gladion, who proved he can handle a major gym and protect the region.” T
he anchor’s tone shifted. “The navy issued a statement: Team Rocket triggered the attack by poaching Magikarp, causing a mass evolution. No significant infrastructure damage was reported, but Gym Leader Gladion fell unconscious after using his psychic powers to stop a massive wave from submerging the coast.”
Gwen’s eyes widened, panic flooding her aura. “Glady’s unconscious?”
'He’s hurt? Oh, Arceus, he pushed too hard again!' She turned to Agatha pleading.
Agatha shook her head and said, “Use the League Alakazam! Go to your dumb brother!”
A sleek Alakazam materialized, its spoons glowing. “Teleport Gwen to Moonwood Gym,” Agatha ordered. Gwen grabbed her bag, 'Hold on, Glady. I’m coming.'
---
In Moonwood Gym’s private quarters, Ben hovered over Gladion’s bed, hands trembling as he pressed a warm compress to his son’s forehead.
Gladion lay pale, sweat-soaked, his breathing shallow, a fever burning through him.
Ben's eyes darted between Gladion and the two Pokémon watching—Ultron and his Alakazam, “Any clues why he’s got this fever and still out?” Ben asked, his voice tight. “He’s been unconscious too long.”
Ultron’s red eyes glowed, its telepathic voice clipped. “Master overexerted his psychic aura. Future Sight, combined with Psychic to divert waves, pushed his brain beyond safe limits. But this fever… it’s abnormal.”
Alakazam nodded, its spoons twitching. “I sense an external influence, but it’s unclear. His mind is… shielded, even from us.”
Ben’s jaw clenched, his hand smoothing Gladion’s hair. 'My boy, what’ve you done to yourself?'
“He’s tough,” Ben muttered, more to himself. “He’s a Vortex. He’ll pull through.”
---
Inside Gladion’s mind, a dream unfolded. He stood on a glowing surface under a starlit sky, the silver ocean below still as glass, reflecting not the stars but memories—his life in Moonwood and in the Pokemon world but also of his previous life on Earth.
'What the hell?' His head throbbed, a war drum in his skull, and he dropped to his knees, clutching it.
A soft hum filled the air, like a lullaby from childhood. A glow descended— Cresselia, the Lunar Pokémon, hovered before him, its crescent wings rippling the dream-sea.
Its eyes held warmth and sorrow. “You are not meant to bear so much… so soon,” it said, its voice blooming in his mind. Gladion coughed, psychic energy leaking from his eyes like blue fire. “What’s… happening to me?” he rasped, his aura flickering.
Cresselia circled him, graceful and calm. “You are beginning to remember… what was never truly forgotten.” Gladion blinked, confused.
“Remember? I don’t get it.” Cresselia’s wings unfolded, revealing a radiant orb—the Soul Dew. It pulsed with memory, not light, and Gladion’s breath caught, a deep ache stirring in his chest. 'Why does it feel like I know it?'
“This is the Soul Dew,” Cresselia said. “A crystal forged of sacrifice—the last breath of a guardian, sealed into eternity. Latios gave his life to protect the balance between worlds. His soul lives on, watching… waiting.”
Gladion’s heart pounded, the Dew’s glow pulling at him. “Years ago,” Cresselia continued, “when the Soul Dew nearly broke, a fragment drifted and found you. Not by chance, but by design. It merged with your spirit, granting psychic sight beyond human limits. But now, the Dew awakens fully, and your body struggles to bear a Legendary’s will.”
Gladion’s eyes widened. 'A Legendary’s power? In me?'
“That’s why I’m burning up,” he muttered, his voice weak. Cresselia’s gaze softened. “The fever, the weight—it’s the Dew’s awakening.”
She tilted her head, almost chuckling. “Do you think the two Pokemon that you carry on your necklace joined you just because you asked them nicely? They sense the Dew’s power and it's will. They’ll help you recover.”
She touched her forehead to his, a jolt of clarity rushing through him. “Rest, Child of the Moon. When you awaken, you’ll remember only fragments.”
The dream shattered, stars fading, and Gladion plummeted into darkness.
---
Back in his room, Ben replaced the compress, his hands shaking. “Come on, son, wake up,” he whispered. Suddenly, two Poké Balls on Gladion’s necklace jiggled, bursting open. Ben’s eyes widened, his voice a gasp. “They are…”
